What is involved in removing permanent suture and converting to vertical lift to lock areola?

Permanent sutures in the skin cause problems but absorbable ones can result in areolar widening with a Benelli lift. Converting to a vertical pattern may help but will not necessarily "lock" the diameter. I have used a Strattice donut under the skin to prevent areolar widening while preserving the natural variation in response to temperature etc.

I'm not sure what type of an operation you had but permit suture is always removable. Most the time a more conventional mastopexy will either very good result with very acceptable scars.

You will need to have an additional surgery that removed areola car and loosens the breast tissue over the implant to place the interlocking suture. The results are typically fine but everyone heals differently. You will need to ask your surgeon about cost.

It's hard to answer without a pic, but the process doesn't need to be that involved. As mentioned before, conversion to a vertical scar won't necessarily insure that the areolae won't spread. You will have an inherent asymmetry with 2 different scars and you may get 2 different shapes. Proceed with caution! See your original surgeon and then get a couple of other in person consults with quality plastic surgeons. Good luck. 

Removal of the permanent areola suture is not difficult and can be done in the office under local anesthesia in most cases.  Revision of the areola size, shape, and position will require a formal procedure.  What will be involved and it's possible outcome will depend on your current tissues as well as your goal.  An in depth discussion and evaluation will be needed to determine what procedures would suit you best.All the best,Dr. Remus Repta

Really need a photo to give you a good answer.  In general if you do two different types of lifts symmetry will be more difficult to accomplish.  The permanent type suture used for a Benelli type lift is easily removed at the time of a revision.  

These are reasonable questions but they cannot be addressed via this forum.  There is simply too much to discuss and in the absence of an in-person examination (even a photo, though helpful, may not be adequate) you won't be getting answers that are useful.  In general, it is possible to convert a circumareolar suture and scar to a circumvertical, but exactly how that may apply to you is something you'll need to talk about in person.Sorry but I hope that this has helped, and good luck,Dr. Alan EnglerMember of RealSelf100